Why is animal therapy in care homes so popular?
Damon Culbert from Wild Science, provider of animal therapy in care homes across the UK, talks about the difference between short visits from animals and dedicated Animal Assisted Therapy. Animals in care homes are a growing phenomenon attempting to improve the wellbeing of the elderly in long-term care. Many residential care providers have sung the praises of therapy dogs, cats, horses and even lizards in their ability to animate residents and stimulate social interaction. But what are the recorded benefits of animal therapy and should every care home invite animals in? Not every encounter that seniors have with animals will qualify as animal therapy. Animal Assisted Therapy is defined as targeted therapy interventions which make use of an animal to achieve set goals. Examples in care homes might include having a resident walk a dog regularly in order to improve or maintain mobility functions long-term or games between animals and residents to encourage social interaction between residents experiencing heightened feelings of loneliness. Animal Assisted Activities, on the other hand, are less focused interactions with animals used to entertain, educate and engage. These can include one-off visits from exotic animals where residents are encouraged to hold, play with and stroke different kinds of animals. Live-in care home animals may also provide many of the benefits which can be achieved during animal therapy but might not fit the definition of therapy as activities are not so structured. This article on animal therapy in care homes will look at the ways care home residents can benefit from the company of animals in both AAT and AAA. Improved motor skills Animal interaction can be hugely beneficial for the physical wellbeing of residents of all abilities, whether that is through stroking, brushing, walking or playing. Many non-mobile residents enjoy the presence of animals and look forward to their visits. Allowing animals like dogs, cats and horses to be stroked and brushed by residents of limited mobility provides vital tactile stimulation. This stimulation is not only beneficial for the maintenance of fine motor skills but also provides other health benefits. Stroking animals increases levels of ‘happiness’ hormone oxytocin and reduces levels of stress hormone cortisol, helping reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and fear which can be common in care home residents. Residents who are more mobile may also experience physical benefits from interaction with animals. Walking dogs regularly is a great way of improving or maintaining motor functions long-term, helping residents maintain independence for longer. Regular exercise is vital for the elderly, especially those in long-term care and research shows that dog walking helps reduce blood pressure, can be beneficial for recovery after major events like strokes and helps maintain general heart health. Increased social interaction For many residents, having to leave their own homes and support networks can be a very isolating experience and many can find it difficult to build new relationships. This is a particular problem for those with conditions like dementia. One of the main benefits of regular animal interaction for came home residents is the animals’ ability to stimulate social interaction. Animal therapy practitioners notice that residents are far more likely to interact with them and the other residents in the presence of animals. Animals often trigger memories of other animals such as past pets which allows residents to enjoy memories of their past while sharing them as part of a group. Additionally, taking on the responsibility of care is beneficial for the elderly as they form routines that not only structure their day but encourage them to interact with staff and other residents to complete tasks based around the animals. This could include walking dogs, feeding pets and, in some care homes, means collecting chicken eggs. This study identified touch as a significant and undervalued part of social interaction which is beneficial to elderly residents struggling to involve themselves socially. Residents who interacted with animals were much more likely to touch the animals but also to interact with their peers in the same way. The importance of touch in social interaction is similar to its importance in physical development and can help reduce feelings of isolation. Reduced loneliness and depression Having resident pets in care homes or organising regular visits from the same animals can help the elderly form attachments which in turn can reduce feelings of loneliness. Animal therapy programs can also use the structure of forming bonds with animals to then encourage residents to form closer bonds together, further improving social interaction and residents’ mental wellbeing. The hormonal response to pets is also one of animal therapy’s greatest attractions. Animal therapist Cynthia Chandler believes that oxytocin is one of the most powerful social hormones we produce and the ability of animals to naturally promote its production is why animal therapy is becoming ever more popular. Things to consider While animal activity and animal therapy in care homes can provide fantastic benefits for those in long-term residential care, it’s important to note that their benefit won’t be felt by everyone. Some things to consider before introducing animal therapy in care homes include residents who don’t like or are afraid of animals and those who suffer from allergies. Rather than keep a dog or cat at the care home at all times, it might be more successful to bring the animal in regularly for short period to interact with small groups so that nobody is subjected to an experience they don’t want. Animal therapy in care homes is causing a huge stir and, due to its ability to bring enrichment and positivity to residents’ lives, it’s likely to stay. However, introducing animals to the elderly must be done with careful consideration for every resident’s wellbeing. For more information on animal therapy in care homes, see wildsci.co.uk
Over 300 birthday cards for Hilda’s centenary
HUNDREDS of cards and three days of celebrations marked Aaron Court Care Home resident’s 100th birthday. Hilda Fleming, who lives at Aaron Court Care Home, in Ellesmere Port, received more than 330 birthday cards following an appeal from the home. Staff had hoped to get 100 cards to mark Hilda’s 100 years but were surprised when more than three times their target flooded through the post box. Alongside cards from family, friends and staff at the home, contributions came in from the wider community, including pupils from two Ellesmere Port schools. Cambridge Road Primary School and William Stockton Primary School handmademore than 100 cards between them to celebrate Hilda’s centenary. Two days before her birthday, more than a dozen pupils from William Stockton Primary also visited the home to sing a modern version of Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag. Hilda recently became a Facebook sensation when thousands watched her rendition of the First World War marching song, originally published in 1915, just four years before she was born. The following day, she was treated to a complimentary afternoon tea, donated by Holiday Inn Ellesmere Port, where Hilda and guests had their own private room overlooking the docks. On her birthday, Friday, 19th April, Hilda received a hand massage and manicure from Charlotte Goodacre, a self-employed nail technician. She was then thrown a garden party at Aaron Court Care Home, attended by family, friends, staff and local dignitaries. Hilda was joined by her daughters Barbara Donoghue, who flew in especially from Australia, and Jean Doyle and her husband Paul. Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders and Deputy Mayor Paul Donovan also attended the party. DJ Chris Jones provided a complimentary performance and nearby Fagan’s Café donated and delivered 100 cakes. Hilda said: “I thank everyone who has come and spared the time. I’m very, very pleased so many have turned up. Thank you all for all the effort you’ve put in to make this my day. Thank you.” Lindsey Bevan, home manager at Aaron Court Care Home, said: “We had a brilliant turnout for Hilda’s birthday, with family, friends and local dignitaries all taking the time to come and wish such a special lady a happy birthday. The response we had to our birthday card appeal has also been amazing – far exceeding the original target. Hilda was absolutely delighted to receive so many cards, as well as a special visit and performance from school pupils. The strong community spirit in Ellesmere Port really showed with everyone taking time out and putting the effort in to make Hilda’s 100th birthday extra-special. We can’t thank everyone involved enough.” For more information about Aaron Court Care Home please visit http://www.hillcare.net
Florence celebrates 101st birthday with care home party
Family and friends celebrated the 101st birthday of former church volunteer and school pianist Florence Chettle. Her birthday was marked with a party at Barnfield Care Home, in Chesterfield, where she has lived since March 2018. Florence was joined by three generations of her family for the day, when she was presented with two specially made cakes, cards and gifts. She has three children, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who live in Canada, America and Australia, as well as the UK. Alongside a card from the Queen, members of Florence’s family unable to attend the care home party sent celebratory cards and greetings from around the world. Florence was born in Nottingham on 15th April 1918. In 1945 she married Frank Chettle, a headteacher at Tapton House School, in Chesterfield. They were married for over 66 years, before Frank passed away in 2011. Florence moved from Nottingham to Norwich, Worcestershire and, finally, Chesterfield during her married life. She carried out voluntary work for the Methodist church, ran a playgroup and played the piano in various schools. She also has a lifelong interest in knitting and baking. Tracey Turner, home manager at Barnfield Care Home, on Heath Road, said: “We celebrated Florence’s 100thbirthday just a month after she moved into the home in March last year. “It was amazing to see so many members of her family here again to mark her 101stthis year – alongside all of our residents and staff wishing her well. “She had a brilliant day and got so many lovely cards and gifts.” Happy birthday Florence! Barnfield Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Bake sale for virtual assistant at Huddersfield care home
A BAKE sale has raised almost ten times the original estimate for Thornhill Care Home residents in Huddersfield. Activities coordinator at Thornhill Care Home, Laura Lumb had hoped to raise enough to buy an Amazon Echo Dot, which sell for £49.99. She smashed her original goal, however, selling cupcakes, cookies, brownies, sponges and more, to buy the virtual assistant for the care home. She raised £419 from the bake sale, after help from her mum, Lynn Leadbetter, and cake donations from other volunteers. The bakers also included parents of children at KT Dance Academy, where the bake sale took place, and Clough Head Junior and Infant School. Local businessman Garry Scott, who owns Garry Scott Groundwork, Landscaping & Maintenance, donated £100 to the sale. He said: “I know how much these people mean to Laura and she loves them with all her heart, which I can see, so I hope this helps.” After buying the virtual assistant for the residents, Laura said the additional funds will contribute towards creating an indoor garden café at the care home. She said: “I was astonished we raised a massive £419. I would like to thank everyone for the kind donations and a special thanks goes to Garry Scott. We wanted to buy an Echo Dot as we believe it’s important for residents to learn about new technology and what is happening in the world around them. As it’s voice activated, it’s a really easy bit of technology to use, and we’re sure the residents will enjoying asking it questions, catching up on the news and listening to music. The additional funds will go a long way to creating an indoor garden café at the home, which will give residents and visitors an additional place to enjoy a hot drink and a catch up.” For more information about Thornhill Care Home please visit www.hillcare.net
Coast comes to care home resident for seaside birthday party
THE COAST came to a care home resident after a successful appeal for a seaside birthday party – despite being 70 miles inland. Staff at Aden Lodge Care Home, in Clayton West, near Huddersfield, wanted to fulfil resident Edward “Eddie” Case’s 85th birthday wish. As he is unable to travel to the coast, an appeal was issued to help throw a seaside themed party at the home. They received wide ranging support and managed to create an indoor beach and a seaside themed cake. A pony was also brought to the home, an ice cream vanprovided dessert and seaside games all helped Eddie and guests celebrate. The home also asked if anyone wanted to send birthday cards, hoping to receive 85 to match Eddie’s age. They were inundated with 88 cards all wishing him well for his birthday. Children from Excel Childcare, in Clayton West, visited the home to deliver handmade birthday cards and sing Eddie a song. He said: “It was an absolutely lovely day. How lovely and thoughtful of everyone to think of my birthday.” Kim Hardy, home manager at Aden Lodge Care Home, said: “A massive thank you goes out to the Kirklees community, who helped make Eddie’s 85th birthday extra special. He is a huge fan of the great outdoors and said he loved visits to the beach as a child, despite living over one and half hours drive away. We wanted to bring as many traditional seaside attractions to the home as we could as Eddie is not able to travel the long distance to the coast. The support we’ve had and the number cards Eddie received has been absolutely incredible.” For more information about Eddies seaside birthday party please visit http://www.hillcare.net
Exhibit of eight decades of embroidery experience
AN EMBROIDERY exhibition was held at Mandale House Care Home – showcasing work from a resident with over 80 years’ experience with a needle. The event took place at Mandale House Care Home, in Thornaby, near Middlesbrough, where 89-year-old resident Mavis Thomas displayed her artwork. Mavis was only five-years-old when her grandmother bought her first pair of knitting needles and she was winning embroidery and cross stitch competitions by the time she was 19. In the seven decades since, she has often been commissioned to do needlework, which includes complex designs such as street scenes and landmarks, portraits of ballet dancers and children. After moving into Mandale House Care Home at the end of 2018, staff asked Mavis if they could hold an exhibition of her embroidery, hanging them in a recently redecorated hallway. Thornaby Town Council Mayor Cllr Steve Walmsley and Mayoress Sheila Walmsley were among the guests at the exhibition, which also included family, friends, residents and staff at the home. Mayoress Walmsley knows Mavis and her daughter Brenda Burton from Thornaby Methodist Church and they enjoyed catching up on shared acquaintances and family members at the event. Fellow residents also enjoyed viewing Mavis’s artworks before afternoon tea with the visiting dignitaries and other guests. Mavis said: “Thank you so much to everyone who organised this. I’ve had a lovely day.” Louise Clements, home manager at Mandale House Care Home, said: “Mavis’s artworks are stunning and unique. When she moved into the home around six months ago, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to showcase her embroidery after carrying out refurbishments. The exhibition was a huge success and we’re delighted the Mayor and Mayoress could join us and officially open the event. All our residents agreed that it’s great to have Mavis’s work on display and they are now lining one of our corridors.” For more information about Mandale House Care Home please visit https://www.hillcare.net
Wartime singer Dame Vera Lynn writes to elderly fans
ELDERLY care home residents, Aaron Court Care Home, have been corresponding with popular Second World War singer Dame Vera Lynn ahead of her 102nd birthday. The Forces’ Sweetheart, as Dame Lynn is widely known, responded to an email from the staff and residents at Aaron Court Care Home, in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. They wrote to her about how much they love her music, after spending an evening listening to classic tracks, including “We’ll Meet Again”, “The White Cliffs of Dover”, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” and “There’ll Always Be an England”. They also mentioned the redecoration of a corridor at the home, in which they were planning to hang a framed picture of their favourite singer. Residents were surprised when they received a letter in reply, including a signed photograph. Dame Lynn wrote: “I was delighted to hear your residents have been enjoying my music on Sunday evenings. It gives me great pleasure to send you a signed photograph for the newly decorated corridor at Aaron Court. Please send my best wishes to all the residents.” After receiving the letter, residents Vernon Henry and Hilda Flemming decided to reply with hand-made birthday cards to wish her well for her 102ndbirthday. Staff also arranged for an entertainer to visit the home and perform classic songs from Dame Lynn’s catalogue on the big day. Lindsey Bevan, home manager at Aaron Court Care Home, said: “We were playing different songs for residents and when Dame Vera Lynn’s music came on we saw just how much they enjoyed it. One resident began singing along and then another and another. Since then, we’ve been playing it in the lounge every Sunday evening. We thought we’d send an email to Dame Lynn through her children’s charity, which supports under-fives with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments. Both the staff and residents were delighted when we received a reply and a signed photograph, which has now been framed and hung in the corridor. Then two of the residents decided it would be a lovely gesture to write back with birthday cards. It’s all been very thrilling for the residents, who are huge fans. We must say a massive thank you to Dame Lynn for taking the time to write back. It has made everyone at Aaron Court Care Home very happy.” For more information about Aaron Court Care Home please visit www.hillcare.net
RV Care and HC-One receive ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating
An east Devon Domiciliary Care provider is delighted to have received an overall ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating, following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). RV Care Devon, a part of national care provider HC-One, provide care and support to over 60 clients in their own homes in the Honiton and Exeter area, and is only one of four care providers to have been rated Outstanding in the area. The care provider was deemed to be safe, effective, caring and responsive, with care workers seen to deliver care that was respectful of client’s privacy and dignity and took account of people’s individual preferences. As part of the process, inspectors questioned clients and their families and found that people were happy with the care they received and felt that ‘Staff treated people with utmost respect and dignity and ensured privacy.’ Inspectors recognised that staff ‘promoted a sense of compassion, kindness and caring for everyone involved within the organisation which extended to people, families, friends and pets.’ Client comments included: “Nothing is too much trouble; the care is exceptional. I am so lucky.” and “A very good standard all round, I feel safe with them.” A relative of one client, stated: “The carers genuinely care. They are absolutely lovely, kind and considerate.” The report also noted that staff were supported to reach their true potential. They were encouraged to obtain additional qualifications and suggest training, which would benefit the people they supported. RV Care’ ethos is one of life fulfilment and people leading a meaningful and active life. People were encouraged to engage in meaningful activities to aid both their physical and emotional well-being. The service strived to provide the best possible person-centred care and support for people. Professionals commented: “I have been consistently impressed with RV Care they have always been very responsive, caring, thoughtful and person centred” and “Really impressed with the knowledge the carers have of their clients in terms of making the interactions meaningful with positive outcomes.” Other professional comments included: “(Registered manager) personifies truly person-centred care with our clients and their families who are enabled to get involved in care planning alongside the professionals” and “Kind and caring and most of all will routinely go ‘above and beyond’ in how they engage with clients and work in a very person-centred manner.” Clare Connor, RV Care’s Registered Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to receive our Outstanding CQC report that reflects the hard work and dedication of our care team. “Our priority is to provide the kindest possible care to our clients and the team work extremely hard to ensure that we’re delivering the best service possible. I’d like to thank the team for their continued dedication and loyalty.” HC-One and RV Extra Care provide a home care service across Devon and the South West of England. For more information about HC Care provider call 01404 47696 or click here
Ensuring your care home garden is accessible
Gardens are an appealing feature of any care home – not only can they brighten up the view from inside but, once the sun is shining, they provide a sensory-rich environment for residents. And, for those who are able, a spot of gardening really refreshes mind and body. It’s important to tend to any garden regularly, otherwise they can become problematic. This is suggested by figures obtained by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, as in 2007 it was recorded that there were 115,000 garden falls, slips, and trips. As a garden is such a communal space, residents should not feel as though they can’t use it. This guide will advise on keeping your care home garden accessible. Raised flowerbeds When it comes to the garden, i.e. when residents are trying to reach flowers and plant them, it gets harder to bend down for long periods of time and tend to them properly. However, if you’re worried about this, then raised flowerbeds can be a great way of avoiding this difficulty altogether. If residents are able to bend down for a short while, or are in a wheelchair or mobility scooter, then flowerbeds that are 18-24 inches off the ground will help. Alternatively, if residents can’t bend down at all, then opt for flowerbeds that are 30 to 36 inches off the ground. As we grow older, we often become more fragile, and as a result, more people end up needing assistance such as mobility scooters — this means you need sturdy pathways to accommodate. The paths should be around 3-4 ft or 91-121cm wide; the paths should provide residents with enough room and access to every corner of the garden. Try to ensure that pathways are made of a surface that isn’t slippy and provides enough grip. If you use a gravelled surface, then this should provide enough safety for anybody using your garden. Flagstone or tarmac, meanwhile, are cost-effective materials that will last a long time and offer support in terms of grip and safety. A space for zoning out Your garden may be accessible, but it also needs to be enjoyed. This means you need a place to zone out and relax. If you place an outdoor sofa or bench in the corner of your garden, then this can become a mini-retreat within an already tranquil setting – providing you with greater comfort within your garden. For a more alternative approach, embed seating areas within plants to create a floral atmosphere while residents are sitting down and relaxing. The perfect decking For all gardens, the decking is the centre-piece that hosts all of your outdoor activities. It can be a place where everyone sits and admires your green space! It’s important to choose the right composite decking boards that will be a reliable safe space within your care home garden. To boost accessibility even more, handrails should be built in by professionals. A care home garden is a great space where everyone can socialise, and by making it more accessible for all then residents, family members and staff can enjoy without any compromises.
